Commemorating 76th Anniversary of WWII: Mass at Les Invalides

On May 8, 2021, a solemn Mass was held at the Les Invalides in Paris to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in history, as it marked the end of the devastating conflict that ravaged the continent and left deep scars on its people. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and veterans, aimed to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for their countries and to pay tribute to the countless lives lost during the war. The Mass, led by Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, was a poignant reminder of the immense human toll of the war, which saw millions of people displaced, injured, or killed. As the congregation gathered at the historic site, they were reminded of the resilience and courage displayed by those who fought against the forces of oppression and tyranny. The ceremony was a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit of those who lived through the war and a solemn reminder of the importance of preserving peace and promoting unity among nations.

The French Imperial Family. Left to right: Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, the Princess and Prince Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Left to right: Prince Jérôme Napoléon, Princess Licia Napoléon, Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, Princess Maria del Pilar Murat, Prince Joachim Murat, Princess Olympia Napoléon, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.  Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

On Wednesday, 5 May, a mass took place at Les Invalides in Paris to commemorate the 200th anniversary since the death of Emperor Napoléon I of France in 1821. The French imperial family was out in full force; the Prince and Princess Napoléon attended the mass in addition to Jean-Christophe's father Prince Charles Bonaparte, his mother Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his uncle and aunt Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Prince Joachim Murat, 8th Prince Murat and 7th Principe di Pontecorvo, was present with his wife Princess Maria del Pilar Murat as well as his son and heir Prince Joachim Murat, Principe di Monte-Corvo, and his daughter-in-law Princess Yasmine Murat.

Prince Jean-Christophe and Princess Olympia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Prince Charles Bonaparte and his son Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.

Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Prince Napoléon and the Count of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Count and Countess of Paris also attended the service. Prince Jean d'Orléans, Count of Paris, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon are third cousins. They both descend from Prince Alfonso of the Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta, and Princess Maria Antonietta of the Two Sicilies, Countess of Caserta.

During the ceremony, the Prince Napoléon laid a wreath at the tomb of the Emperor in Les Invalides. Two other wreaths were sent by the Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien.

Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Princess Olympia Napoléon and Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Count of Paris, Duchess Sophie of Württemberg, Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, and the Countess of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Prince Jean and Princess Philomena d'Orléans, Count and Countess of Paris, represented the French royal family. Other guests included Prince Jean of Luxembourg and Diane de Guerre, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, and Duchess Sophie of Württemberg.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon meet President Macron and Madame Macron. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Christophe Petit Tesson.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon also welcomed President Emmanuel Macron and Madame Brigitte Macron to Les Invalides. The Napoléons and the Macrons visited the tomb of Napoléon I together. 

Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon in front of a statue of his ancestor Jérôme Napoléon, Prince de Montfort and King of Westphalia. Jérôme was the youngest brother of Emperor Napoléon I. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

As we conclude this article about the Mass at Les Invalides to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, we are reminded of the significance of preserving the memories of those who fought for their countries and the countless lives lost during the war. It is crucial that we continue to honor their sacrifices and learn from the lessons of history to ensure that such devastating conflicts never occur again. The Mass at Les Invalides served as a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit of those who lived through the war and a solemn reminder of the importance of promoting unity among nations.

As we reflect on the ceremony, we are reminded of the immense human toll of the war, which saw millions of people displaced, injured, or killed. The 76th anniversary of the end of the war serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought against the forces of oppression and tyranny. It is essential that we continue to commemorate such events to keep the memories of those who fought for their countries alive and to promote peace and unity among nations. By doing so, we can work towards a future where such devastating conflicts are a thing of the past, and we can strive for a world where the end of World War II is not just a historical event but a beacon of hope for a brighter future.